Last Updated on April 26, 2021
H&M has launched a free 24-hour suit rental service for people attending job interviews.
The European retailer has come under fire countless times recently. From hiring Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams as their ‘sustainability ambassador,’ to the in-demand Simone Rocha collaboration selling out before many shoppers had a chance to get their hands on it, it seems many haven’t been happy with H&M lately.
Say what you want about them, but the brand’s new initiative to give a helping hand to those who would otherwise struggle to find work is worthy of praise.
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ONE/SECOND/SUIT will allow customers to book a single-breasted navy blue jacket with matching trousers, a white shirt, navy blue tie and red handkerchief for free. Customers can simply reserve the suit online and it will be delivered to their door in a garment bag for free.
Once finished with the suit, customers must return it to a store, where H&M will wash and dry-clean it for free. Any late returns will incur a charge of £50, which will be donated to charity, while major damage will also need to be paid for at £116.94 for the full cost of the suit.
The scheme was introduced alongside a short film by American director Mark Romanek, which shows different men preparing for job interviews wearing H&M’s ONE/SECOND/SUIT. A mum offering words of advice to her son acts as the film’s voiceover.
The ONE/SECOND/SUIT scheme will run for a test period to gauge customer demand.
Clothing might seem trivial, but when it comes to job interviews, first impressions count. According to Twin Employment, results from a survey of 2,000 hiring managers found that 33% knew whether they would hire someone in the first 90 seconds of an interview.
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It also reports that 50% of interviewers believe that a candidate can be eliminated due to the way they dressed, acted or walked through the door in the interview.
For those who identify as women, Smart Works offer a similar service for those looking for work. The charity provides both interview clothes and interview training for those in need. They report that after visiting the charity, 64% of their clients went on to find work.
As well as offering free suits, H&M has laid out 5 tips for job interviews on the ONE/SECOND/SUIT homepage. This includes confidence, with the advice reading, ‘Know your interviewer’s name. Use it. And remember to look them in the eye.’
Hire a ONE/SECOND/SUIT from H&M now.
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